Machine for reenforcing paper



June 22 ,1926.

with; i

I c. H, HOWARD MACHINE FOR REENFORCING PAPER Filed June 5. 1924 6 Sheets-She'et 1 ZZZ BYMW ATTORNEY June 22 1926. 1,590,167

C. H. HOWARD MACHINE FOR REENFORCING PAPER Filed June *7, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 lIu a A 3 b lll lll l l I II a, W3 9 mg G mm June 22 1926.

C. H. HOWARD MACHINE FOR REENFORCING PAPER Filed June '7. 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 i]illl llllllllllllllllll //v a/f/v TOR WWW ATTORNEY June 22 1 26. 1,590,167

'0. H; HOWARD MACHINE FOR REENFORGING PAPER Filed June "7, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 //v v /v TOR 6M avg WW2 A TTORNEY June 22,1926. 1,590,167

C. H, HOWARD MACHINE FOR REENFORCING PAPER Filed June 7. 24 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 mu W ATTORNEY June 22 1926. c. H. HOWARD MACHINE FOR REENFORCING PAPER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 5YWM A TTOR/VEY Filed June 7, 1924 jllilllllllfll @atenied June 22, i926. I

; IiJNITED STATES cmms n. nowaan, or sauces, massacr'msnrrs, assrenoaro PAPER raonncrs macnmn comrany, or nosron, massacnnsnr'rs, aconrona'rron' or-missm cHUsEr'rs. f

mulcrrma r03 nnnnroncme rArER.

Application filed June 7, 1924. Serial no, 718,579.. v

This invention relates to machines for reenforcing fabric with filaments, and more particularly to machines for applying-, reenforcing filaments transversely of fabric 6 such as paper.

Various different kinds of filaments may be used by the present machine as the transversely applied reenforcing elements, but inasmuch as uns un fibres, such for instance 10 as hemp, sisal, ax, ramie and the like, possess certain advantages over the other forms of reenforcing filaments such as cords, threads and the like, the machine of the present invention will be described in connection with the application of unspun fibres to the fabric, it being understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily restricted thereto, and that the invention may be used to apply other forms of reenforcing 2 filaments transversely of a fabric.

The present invention is particularly well adapted to applyv relatively long unspun fibres transversely of a sheet of paper 1n a thin sheet having the fibres disposed in a strai'ghtened and approximatel arallelcondition and adhesively secured to thepaper to increase the strength of the paper without materially increasing itsweight, thickness or cost, and, although various adhesives may be employed, one which is waterproof, such as black asphaltum, is-

preferred.

The mechanism of the present invention is shown in position to ap ly the reenforcing fibres transversely of a s eet of paper that has been just previously reenforced by longitudinally extendin fibres, and a second sheet of paper is pre erably placed over the reenforcingfibres to form a two-ply sheet 0f paper that is strongly reenforced both longitudinally and transversely, and which, due to its strength and durability, forms an excellent wrapper, and is well adapted for many other purposes. The reenforcing fibres applied longitudinally of the paper-or fabric are shown as drawn fromcontainers in the form of rov-' ings, and these rovin'gs are combed and drawn out into a thin sheet with the fibres disposed in substantially parallel relation and are then adhesively secured to a sheet of paper, as more fully set forth in the co-pendmg application, Serial No. 391,433, renewed August 14, 1923.

- to the fabric to be reenforced.-

' Still another feature ofthe invention re-.

' The'fibres which are applied transversely oft sheet of paper or fabric'by the present 1,596,167 PATENT OFFICE.

machine may likewise be supplied in the form ofrovings 'and'may be combed and-attenuated by means similar to thatdisclosed in the application just mentioned. The present invention, however, does --1,1ot concern constructed to feed a. sheet of reenforcing,

fibres transversely of a traveling sheet of fabric, and to cut the sheet of fibres trans-' versely to form sections and then apply these sections successively to the traveling fabric.v In employing unspun fibres as thereenforcing elements much difliculty' is ex-.

. itself with the means for forming the fibres I perienced in maintaining the fibres' in a 7 straightened. and parallel condition a after they-arecut into sections and while they arebeing applied to thepaper or fabric.

One important feature of the present invention, therefore, resides in traveling combs for applying the. reenforcing fibres to the fabric transversely thereof, and having means for closing the entrances between the comb teeth to positively hold the-fibres in the combs.

Another feature of the-invention resides in mechanism for cutting the fibre sheet transversely between two of the combs and,

while the 'sheetis held by a comb at each side of the cutter, to keep the fibres in place.

Another-feature of the-invention resides in novel means for operating the dofiers for transferring the fibres from the sides in the-construction'by which the machine may=be readily changed to reenforce pa er or fabric of'diiferent widths.

combs ther features: of the invention and novel 7 structed in accord'ance-with'the present in-. ventionfor Fig. 2 is a side view of amachine-consectional view taken ontheline 4'4 ofig. '5 is an enlargedactional view, taken on the line 5--'-5 of Fig. 4.'

Fig. 6 is a side view with parts in section, of the cutter operating drum and associated parts. a

Fig.

' on the-line 74 of Fig. 6. z

b Fig. 9is a s1de view'of a cutter actuating; ar.

Fig; 10 isa side viewof one of the combs with the supporting means shown in section.

, vFigill is a top plan view.- of Fig.10.

comb teeth'and of the means for "positively holding the fibres between the teeth.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken :on the line 13-13 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 1a is a side view of a Geneva gear construction employed to operate certain parts; and

Fig. 15 is a perspective view a two-ply fabric, showing one sheet pulled back to disclose'both the longitudinal and transverse reenforcing fibres.

In Fig. 1, which shows mechanism for y applying fibres both longitudinally and wound from its supply roll, it passes about ide rolls 12 and Band between the ad-. esive applying rolls 14 and 15. The roll 15 may rotate in a receptacle 16 containing adhesive, so that, as the roll 15.rotates, it

transversely of a fabric or sheet of paper, the fabric 10 is shown as drawn-from a supply roll 11 and as the fabric '10- is un-- applies a coating of adhesive to the under face ofthe fabric 10 and this adhesive is preferabl waterproof such as black asphaltumso t at the-same will not release the "reenfor'cing fibres should the fabric or paper, After the adhesive has been become wet. applied to the fabrlc 10 it passes under a gulde roll 17 and then between a pair of feed rolls'18 and -19, and theupp'er roll 19 is shown as made hollow, in order that it may be heated by passing steam throughthe same.

The-sheetof reenforcing fibres which are ap lied longitudinally of the fabric 10 is in 'cated by 20, and this sheet may formed of rovings 21 drawn from contamers 22. Thearrangement is such that a number of rovings are positioned side by s1de and are drawn between the pair of rolls 23 by l the grooved feed rolls 24 and 25, and these rollsare shown as driven by a chain 26-. The sheet of fibres 20 is relatively thick as it leaves the feed rolls 24 and 25 and an end- The fabric 10, wit the fibres applied longi-.

tudinally thereof, passes from the feed rolls c 18 and 19'belowmechanism-for applying the 7 is a sectional deta1l view, taken --less carrier 27:;is provided having a number ric'10. The mecha transverse reenforcing fibres, to the pair of rolls29and30. Fig. 8 isa side view of an H-shaped barthat supports the cutters.

fa ric 10 and it ,will be understood that, al-

V thoughthe mechanism now to bedescribed Fig. 12 is a -srde view of several of the is shown in position to apply fibres to a fabric which has been previously reenforced by longitudinally extending fibres, the longitudinalreenforcing fibres may be omitted if v from an elevated source of supply, not

shown. The fibres forming the sheet 31 pass from the guides 32 to means not shown for combing and attenuating the'same into a thin sheet having-the fibres disposed in. a straightened and substantially parallel condition. The combing and attenuating means 'may be similar to that shown in Fig. l for treatin the fibres which are'applied longitudina y of the fabric 10, and the sheet of 'fibres 31 after it has been sufficiently combed and attenuated, is delivered to the feed rolls 33 and 345 (see Figs.;2 and 4) rotatably supipgrted by themachine frame 35. It may desirable to vary the pressure ofthe upper roll 34 upon the lower roll 33 and this y operated b hand wheels 34.

. In reenorcing fabric transversely by the machine of the present invention the sheet of fibres 31 upon leaving the feed rolls 33 and 34 is carried transversely of the fabric and is cut into sections, which sections are applied successlvely across the traveling .fabric '10. As stated, it is very di-fi'icult to keep the'fibres in a straightened condition .after'they have been cut to form a section and while the section is being applied to the fabric. In the embodiment of the in.- vention illustrated, a series of traveling combs 36 are provided to engage the sheet be accomplished by adjusting screws of fibres delivered by the rolls 33 and 34 and I carry this sheet to a position over the traveling fabric 10, whereupon the sheet of fibres moved into engagement with the fibres.

after being cut is forced out of engagement with the comb teeth by dofling barsand is deposited upon the traveling sheet 10. In the construction shown, the opposite ends of the combs 36 are secured to endless racks composed of the rack sections 37 connected by pivot pins 38 and upon the pivot pins 38 are mounted rollers 39 which travel in fixed grooved runways 40 (see. Fig. 4). The runways 40 are disposed at the opposite sides of the machine frame 35 and consist of an upper runway and a lower runway connected at each end by the semi-circular portions 41, the arrangement being such that each section 37 of the endless, racks is continuously supported and guided by the rollers 39 traveling in the runways 40, 41. The endless racks are driven by the shaft 42 provided with the gears 43 that mesh with the teeth of each rack.

It is important thatthe sheet 31 of fibres be well supported at the point where the comb teeth 44 are engaged with the fibres and to this end, in the present case, a rotat- 111g drum 45 is provided just below the lower run of the combs, as best shown in Fig. 5, and this drum is operated at the same peripheral speed as the combs, and is provided with a number of longitudinally extending recesses 46 adapted to receive the ends of the comb teeth which project through the sheet of fibres. The arrangement is such that fibres pass over the roll 45 and are supported by this roll as the comb teeth are In the construction shown, the sheetof fibres is further supported upon leaving the feed rolls 33 and 34 by an endless apron 47 which passes about the lower feed roll 33 to a spaced roll 48 and then downwardly about the lower roll 49. This apron serves to support stray ends of the fibres'until they have practically reached the comb teeth 44.

In the present construction, in which the fibres are carried to a position over the fabric to be reinforced by the lower run of the combs, there is a tendency of a sheet of fibres to move downwardly under the force oi gravity out of engagement with the comb teeth. To prevent this the present invention contemplates means for positively retaining the fibres in engagement with the comb teeth and in the construction shown each comb is provided with a sliding bar 50 (see Figs. 10 and 12) having the downwardl extending bent fingers 51. In the present case the teeth 44 of the comb are made relatively wide and the fingers 51 are so constructed that each finger 51 may normally lieback of a tooth 44 out of the active position as shown in Fig. 12, but, when it is desired to positively hold the fibres between the teeth, the bar 50 may be moved in the direction of its length to position the fingers 51, as shown in Fig. 10, in which it will be noted that acurved portion of each finger extends across the opening between a pair of teeth.

As stated, the sheet of fibres 31 is cut into sections and these sections are successively applied to the traveling fabric 10.- The present invention contemplates means for cutting the fibres after they have been en-' gaged by the traveling combs36 and after the fingers 51 have been moved into position to positively retain the fibres in engagement with the combs. enables the fibres to be firmly held at each side of the point where the sheet of fibres is out and causes one of the combs to remain in engagement with the main sheet 31 after:

The

a section has been out from the sheet. cutting devices of the present invention are carried by the rotating drum 45 and each consists of a fixed bar 52 and a sliding bar 53 and each of these bars is provided with a series of pointed cutting teeth, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The cutting bars 52 and 53 normally are held retracted so that they lie entirely within the periphery of the roll 45 and means is provided for' moving the cutters radially outwardly to sever the sheet of fibres between a pair of combs. To this end the cutter bars 52 and 53 are mounted in an H-shaped rail 54 which This is'desirable because it i is slidably mounted in the radially extend- 111g slot 55 of the drum 45. The arrange.- ment is such that the rail 54 may be moved radially outwardly from the position occu pied by three of the cutters shown in Fig. 5 to. the position occupied by the fourth and upper cutter of this figure. In order to im part this radial movement to the H-shaped bars, these bars are held from moving in the direction of their length in the slots 55 and in one face of each of the bars 54 are provided a number of upwardly inclined .slots 56, as best shown in Fig. 8, which slots are adapted to receive the heads 59 of pins carried by the sliding bar 60, best shown in Fig. 9; the arrangement is such that when the bar 60 is moved axially in one direction the pins 59 travel in the slots 56 to move the y matter of the present invention will now be described. As best shown in Fig. 2, a horizontally extending shaft 61, supported above the main mechanism of the machine is driven by a sprocket chain 62 from any suitable source of supply supported overhead.

The chain 62 passes about a sprocket wheel 63 mounted on a short shaft 64 which rotates loosely upon the shaft 61, and a hand-operated clutch 65 is slidably but nonrotatably secured to the shaft 61 and may be moved rail 54 outwardly, and when the bar 60 is v into and out of engagement with the corresponding clutch elements 66 to start and stop the machine. A hand wheel 67 may be secured at one end of the shaft 61 so that the machine may be operated by hand in making adjustments. The, sliding element of the clutch is moved to and from its operative position by a yoke 68, pivoted at its lower end to a fixed support, and con-' nected at its upper end by a rod 69 to a hand lever 70 which is pivotally supported at 71. The shaft 61 through the co-operating bevel gears 72 drives the shaft 73, as best shown in Fig. 4, and the shaft 73 is provided at one end with a sprocket wheel- 7 4 and at its opposite end with a small gear 75 which meshes with a large gear 76 rotatably supported by the transversely extending shaft 77. Power is imparted from the transversely extending shaft 7 3 to a lower transversely extending shaft 78 by the sprocket chain 7 9-which engages the upper sprocket wheel 74 and a lower sprocket wheel 80 rigidly secured to the shaft 78. The shaft 78 extends entirely across the machine, as shown in Fig. 4, and at its opposite end is provided with a change gear 81 (see Fig. 2) and upon an intermediate portion of the shaft 78 is rigidly secured the pinion 82 (see Fig. 14) which meshes with and drives the gear 83 which is rotatably mounted upon a second shaft 84 extending alongside the shaft'78 and having its ends journaled in the brackets The gear 83 is rigidly secured to and rotates a cam d-runi 86 which is loosely mounted upon the shaft 84, the arrangement being such that the cam drum is supported by the shaft 84; and is driven by the shaft 78. It is desirable to drive the shaft 81' at a. variable spee=h for a purpose to be described. and to this end a Genera gear is employed to drive the shaft 84 from the shaft 78, and, as best shown in Fig. 14:, the slotted element 87 of the Geneva gear is rigidly secured to the shaft 84, 'while the co-operating element having the oppositely extending arms 87 carrying the slot-engaging rollers 87 is rigidly secured to the shaft 78. A second cam drum 88 is rigidly secured to and is rotated by the shaft 84. The driving connections between the main upper shaft 73 and drum 86 is such that the drum is given one complete rotation for four complete rotations of the main shaft 7 3, and the con nections described for operating the cam drum 88 likewise impart one complete rotation to this drum for four complete rotations of the shaft 73.

The change gear 81 secured to the lower main shaft 78 meshes with an adjustable gear 89, shown in Fig. 2, and this adjustable gear meshes with and drives an idle gear 90. The idler gear 90 is relatively wide, as shown in Fig. 4, and meshes with and drives the gear 91 which is ri 'dly secured to and operates the shaft 42, a ove described as provided with the cars 43 for driving the combs. The wide 1dle gear 90 serves also to drive the cutter drum 45'and, since the cutter drum and shaft 42 both rotate in the same direction, and are relatively close together, the gear 92 which drives the cutter drmn meshes with the idle gear 90 and is supported out of the plane of rotation of the gear 91 so that the gears 91 and 92 will rotate freely without interfering with each other. The feed roll 33 may be driven by a sprocket chain 93, preferably positioned at the opposite side of the machine, as shown in Fig. 5, and this sprocket chain may be driven by a sprocket wheel rigidly secured to the shaft of the cutter drum 45..

From the driving mechanism just described it will be seen that the carrier racks, the cutter drum and the feed rolls 33 and 34 are all driven from the change gear 81 and that by changing the size of this gear the speed of the elements just mentioned may be increased or decreased without changing the speed at which the cam drums 86 and 88 rotate. The adjustable gear 89 is supported by an adjustable bracket 94 of well known construction, whereby the gear 89 may be shifted to different positions to accommodate different change gears 81.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the speed at which the sheet of fibres 31 is carried to a position over the fabric to be recnforced may be readily varied. This is desirable because it may be wished to employ the present machine to reenforce paper or fabric of different widths and the machine is so constructed that the fabric to be reenforced may be fed at a uniform speed, irrespective of the width of the same. and if the fabric is relatively narrow the speed at which the reenforcing fibres are advanced will be slowed down; whereas, if a wider sheet is to be reenforced the speed at which the reenforcing fibres are advanced will be increased. The combs 36 are not only provided with the sliding bar 50, having the fibre retaining fingers 51, but are also provided with (loffing bars. The combs 36 are preferably given the construction shown in Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive, and may consist of a hollow bar square in cross section, as shown in Fig. 13, to which the comb teeth 41 are rigidly secured, the teeth being conveniently formed by cutting the strip of sheet metal 95 to form the same. The opposite ends of the combs are shown as secured to the rack sections 37 by the L-shaped brackets 96 and the slidin bar 50 is preferably provided with a lip 97 at its inner edge which retains the bar in place. "The dofling bars 98 are preferably secured to and operated. by sliding pins 99 which extend through apertures formed in the opposite walls of the combs 36. The dofling bars are normally supported in their inactive positionv as shown in Fig. 13, but maybe moved outwardly to doif the fibres by sliding the pins 99 in the direction of their length. This may be* accomplished by providing each pin- 99 with a head 100' having oppositely extending lugs 101 whichextend into the inclined 'slots 102 formed -in'the spaced bars 103 which are mounted doiiing bars of a number of combs simultaneously so that all the fibres of an entire section may be transferred simultaneously from the combs to the fabric. The means disclosed for operating simultaneously a predetermined number of dofling bars consists of a number of actuators 104 which are mounted upon a shaft 105 extending lengthwise of the machine and supported near one side of the machine by the spaced brackets 106. The actuators 10% are rigidly secured to the shaft 105 and are moved to and from their operative'position-When the bar 105 is rocked. The lower ends of the actuators engage rollers 107 mounted upon one end of the sliding bars 103, the arrangement-being such that when the actuators are rocked they engage the rollers .107 and slide the bars 103 in a right-hand direction, viewing Fig. 10, to move the dofling bars to the dotting position. The dotfing bars will remain in this position until they are retracted by movement of the bars 103 in the opposite direction, and this is accomplished by providing a fixed cam 108 located within the path of travel of the combs and adapted to engage the rollers 107 and move the bars 103 in a left-hand direction.

It will be understood that the series ofactuators in the direction of travel of the wearer combs. This is accomplished in the present case by supportin' the shaft 105 for sliding movement in the irection of its length and the shaft 105 is periodically shifted in the gear 76is driven by its pinion at a ratio of Ito-4, to correspond with the speed at which the cam drums 86 and 88 are rotated. The lower end of the lever 109 is connected to an auxiliary bar 112 (see Fig. 3) extending lengthwise of the actuator supporting bar and the other end of the auxiliary bar is operatively secured to the bar 105,

by an arm 113 which loosely embraces-the shaft 105 and is held in place thereupon by spaced collars 114. lhe result of the construction is such that the rocking lever 109 may move the shaft 105 back and forthwithout interfering with the rocking movement that is imparted to the shaft to operate he actuators 104.

In the contruction'shown, the slotted drum 86 is provided to operate the actuators 10a and to this end a rocking bracket 115 is pivotally mounted upon a fixed support at 116 and one arm of this bracket is provided with a roller 117 which engages the cam slot in the face of the drum 86 and is actuated by an offset portion 118 of this cam slot. A. second arm of the bracket 115 is connected by means of a rod 119 to a crank arm 120 which is secured to a shaft 121 (see Fig. 3) and serves to rockthis' shaft.

to the shaft 105 by an arm 122 rigidly secured. to the shaft 105 and the outer end of erated by the rocking shaft 121. The construction just described imparts the desired rocking movement to the shaft 105 without interfering with the longitudinal movement of this shaft.

' Whenrelatively wide paper is tobe r'eenforced, it will be understood that it is necessary to doif simultaneously a reater inc Rocking movement is imparted from the shaft 121 number of combs than should be dofi'e when narrow paper is being reenforced. To vary the number of combs that are dofi'ed simultaneously a number of independently adj ustable actuators are secured to the bar 105 at the left-hand end of the same, viewingFig. 2, as at 125, the arrangement being such that these actuators may be swung to or from a position in'which they will operate the doif ing bars and may be'clamped by set screws in either an active or inactive position.

. Since as described each comb is provided with means for positively maintaining the fibres in engagementwith the comb teeth,

it is necessary to. provide means to move' the fibre-retaining fingers 51- out of their active.- position, before .the fibres are dofi'cd. .-.-T o1 this end a shaft 126'similar to the rocking.

the fibres retained in. place between the air of comb teeth. .After the H-shaped rai 5 4 has. been moved outwardly by'the sliding movement of thebar. 60. it is necessary 7.

shaft is supported at the opposite side move the cutterbar' 5 3 1n the direction of of the machine and is provided with actua-;- tors 127 adapted to engage rollers 128 at; the upper end of the rocking bars 129 pivot-, ally mounted at 130 and the lower ends-of.- which are secured by pins 131 to the sliding bars50. Rocking movement is imparted to the actuators 127 by a bar 132 extending. across-the machine from the actuators 104 and the mechanism-above described for movthe shaft 110 that extends transversely-of the machine. The arrangement of the parts justdescribed' is such that the fingers 51 are not moved to the fibre-releasing position until the dofling bars begin to move to the dofling position. g

The mechanism just described serves to move the fingers 51 out of the fibre-holding position and they remain in their inactive ppsition until after the teeth of a comb have en enga ed with the sheet of fibres, whereupon the ngers 51 are quickly moved to the fibre-holding position. This is accomplished by providing a cam 133 (see Fi 5). Since the position of the cam 133 s ould be accurately adjusted, this cam is shown as rigidly secured to an adjustable shaft 136' and this shaft may be moved slightly in one direction or another by means of an arm 137 (see Fig. 2) which may be clamped in the desired position of adjustment by a nut 138.

As above stated the cutters of the present invention serve to cut a sheet of fibres between a pair ofcombs and while the fibres are held upon each side of the cutter. The means for moving the cutters outwardly to the cutting position and for then actuating the cutters will now be described. A rocking lever 139 is pivotall mounted upon a fixed support at 140 an the lower end of this lever is provided with a roller 141 which engages the cam slot formed in the face of the cam drum 88, the arrangement being such that this lever is rocked by an offset portion 142 of the cam slot. The upper end of the rocking lever 139 is jforked and is secured to a collar 143 slidably mounted uponthe central shaft 144 of the cutter drum. The collar 143 has a relatively wide lug 145 which engages a roller 146 secured to one end of the sliding bar 60, which bar as above pointed servesto move the cutters to and from their active position, The teeth of the cutter bars 52 and 53, are pointed as .shown'and preferably are spaced the same distance apart as the teeth of the comb so that the cutter teeth will aline with the comb teeth and may be readily inserted between.-

its len th to cut the fibres. This is .accomby means of a roller .147-carried by a'hnk 148 secured at 149 to a projection upon the rail 54 and secured at 150 to the.

shdin cutter. Promptly after the cutters have en moved radially outward to the cutting position, the roller 147-engages the cam face of a fixed cam 151 and as thecutter drum rotates theroller travels along the cam face of the fixed cam and rocks the link148 to slide the cutter blade 53 in the direction.

of its length. A fixed cam 152 at the oppo-- siteside of the machine is positioned. to en- .gag'e a roller 153 mounted upon a link 154 and to rock this link to move .the cutter back to its original position. A second fixed cam 155 positioned near the cam 152 isadapted to e gage a roller 156 upon an end of the lever 80 and serves to slide this lever in a left-hand direction, viewing Fig.' 6, to retract the cutters.

When the machine of the present invention is operated at high speed it is necessary that the cutters be moved to and from the cutting position ,very' quickly, and to this and the Geneva gear above described is employed to momentarily increase the speed atwhich the shaft 84 is rotated, thereby to increase the speed at which the parts are operated to shift the bar 60. 'It will be understood that means other than the Geneva gear may be employed for momentarily increas ing the speed atwhich the shaft 84 is ro-' fibres together they will resist a much greator force than would a single fibre.

As above stated the present machinemay be changed to reenforce either wide or narrow fabric by simply changing the gear-81 and in addition to this one or-more of the actuators 125 mayrequire adjustment to or from its active positionto increase or de-" crease the number of combs simultaneously dofied.

In orderthat the present machine may run at its maximum capacity, irrespective of the width of the paper being reenforced, the width of the sheet of fibres 31 should at all times be as wide as the machine will accommodate and when paper is being reenf forced having a width less'than the maxi mum capacity ofthe machine, the s eed at which the reenforcing fibres31 are a vanced should be reduced 'without reducing the speed at which the fabric is advanced.

WVhen the machine is thus operated a section of fibres 'willbe applied to the fabric every time a portion'of the fabric 10 corresponding in length to the width of the sheet 31 is passed under thecombs. This means thatthe dotting operations will occur at. the

same intervals of time, irrespective of whether a wide or narrow fabric is beingre- 7 "Changing the gear 81 a will a under stooddoes not changethe speed at which the cam drums86 and 88 are operated. This means that whilethe cutter drum may have its speed ofrotation increased for decreased, the intervals. at which the cutters themselves are operated remainconstant.

As a result the samecutter may not always be in the uppermost position when a cutting operation is called for and the cutting drum shown is therefore provided with four different cutters, any one of which may be 0perated when in the uppermost position.

After the fibres have been applied to the fabric 10 both longitudinally and transversely, or, if desired, transversely alone, it is preferable to apply a second sheet of fabric over the fibres to protect them, and thus form a two-ply sheet with the fibres between the two sheets. To this end a second supply of paper or fabric may be drawn from the supply roll at 158 (see Fig, 1) and, after passing around suitable guides and bet-ween the adhesive applying rolls 159 and 160, it

is led between the rolls 29 and 30, at which point it is applied to the reenforced fabric 10 and the two-ply fabric thus formed may pass part way around the roll 30 and then part way around the upper roll 161, from which it issues as a finished. twoply, reenforced fabric 162. The rolls 30 and 161 serve to force the two sheets of paper or fabric firmly together and the pressure exerted by each roll may be varied by means of the hand wheels 163 and 16 1. The various feed rolls for the fabric and for the fibres which reinforce the fabric longitudinally should be driven at a constant speed with respect to the main driving shaft of the machine that applies the fibres transversely of the fabric so that all parts will be operated in their proper timed relation.

What is claimed is 1. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the path of'feedof the fabric. and in the form of a thin sheet having the fibres arranged in approximately parallelrelation, traveling combs for engaging the fibres and applying them to the fabric transversely thereof, and means for positively holding the fibres ,between the teeth of the combs.

2. A machine of the character described, comprising, in'co'mbination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the path of feed of thejfabric in the form of a thin sheet, travelingcombs for engaging the fibres oftlie sheet and .applyingthemto the fabric transversely 'thereof,and means movable into andgoutfof position to close-the envtrances' between the teeth of 'the combs to holdthe fibres between said teeth. V 3.'A machine of-thecharacter described,

comprising,.-in (combination, means for feed ing a fabrictobejreenforced by fibres, means 1 for feeding the fibres transversely to the path of-fe'ed of the fabric in'the form of a thin sheet, traveling combs for-engaging the fibres of the sheet and applying them to the fabric transversely thereof, and bentfingers movable across the entrances between the comb teeth to hold the fibres between said teeth. i q

4. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination, means for feed ing a fabric to be reenforced by: fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the path ofgfced of the fabric in the formof a thin sheet having the fibres arranged-in approximately parallel relation, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and applying them to the fabric transversely thereof, and means carried by the combs and movable across the entrances betweengthe. comb teeth to hold the fibres between said teeth.

comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the.

5. A machine of the characterdescribed,

fibres, means for feeding the unspun fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric and in the form of a thin sheet having the fibres arranged in approximately paral lel relation and slightly spaced, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and applying them to the fabric transversely thereof, and the combs being provided with teeth that are spaced apart further than the average distance between the individual fibres of the sheet, whereby the fibres are divided by the teeth into groups and are applied to the fabric in spaced groups.

7. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric and in the form of a thin sheet having the fibres arranged in approximately parallel relation and slightly spaced, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of said sheet, and the combs being provided with relatively wide teeth that divide the fibres into groups so that they are applied to the fabric in spaced reenforcing groups.

8. A machine of the character described, comprising. in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric and in the form ofa thin sheet, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them to a position across the fabric, dofling bars for transferring the sheet of fibre? from they combs to the fabric, and sliding bars extending lengthwise of the combs and movable in .the direction of their length to actuate the dofiing bars.

9. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric and in the form of a thin sheet, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them to a position across the fabric, doifing bars for transferring the sheet of fibres from the combs to the fabric, sliding bars extending lengthwise of the combs and movable in the direction of their length to actuate the dofi'- ing bars, and means for simultaneously ac-,

tuating a number of sliding bars.

10. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric and in the form of a thin sheet, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them to a position across the fabric, dofling bars for transferring the sheet of fibres from the combs to the fabric, sliding bars extending lengthwise of the combs and movable to actuate the dofling bars, and means at one side of the path of travel of the combs and operable to shift simultaneously a predetermined number of sliding bars.

11. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding asheet of fibres transversely to actuate said elements and adjustable to vary the number of combs that are doffed simultaneously.

12. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, an endless carrier provided with combs adapted to engage the sheet of fibres and carry it across the fabric for application to the fabric, a rotating drum for supporting the sheet of fibres atthe point where the teeth of the combs are engaged with the fibres, and the drum having notches formed longitudinally in its face to receive the portions of the combsthat. extend through the sheet of fibres.

- 13. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a. fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, an endless carrier provided with combs engaging the fibres and applying them to the fabric transversely thereof, and a cutter for cutting the sheet of fibres into sections and constructed and arranged to cut the sections so that a comb always remains in engagement with the main portion of the sheet from which the section is cut.

14. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely of the fabric, and a cutter for cutting the sheet of fibres into sections for progressive application to the fabric and constructed and arranged to cut the sections so that a comb always remains in engagement. with the main portion of the source of fibre supply.

15. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversly of the fabric, and a cutter for cutting the sheet of fibres into sections for application to the fabric and positioned to cut the sheet of fibres between a pair of combs each of which engages the fibre sheet.

16. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feedcomprising, incombination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path. transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric,

traveling combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely of the fabric a rotating drum for supporting the sheet of fibres at the point where the combs are en gaged with the fibres and having notches formed longitudinally in its face to receive ,the portions of the conrbs that extend through the sheet of fibres, and a cutter upon said drum and operable to cut the fibres while they are held by the combs on each side of the cutter.

18. A machine of'the character described,

comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric'to-be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path transcombs and then actuate verse to the direction of feed of the fabric,

traveling combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely of the fabric, a rotating drum for supporting the sheet of fibres at the point where the teeth of the combs penetrate the sheet, and a cutter upon said drum and operable to cut the fibres while they are held by the combs at each side of the cutter. 1

19. A machine of the character described, comprising,in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely-of the fabric, a rotating drum for supporting the sheet of fibres, and a cutter normally retained within the drum and adapted to be projected beyond the periphery of the drum to cut the sheet of fibres.

20. A ,machine for reenforcing fabric,-

comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path transvers to the direction of feed of the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely of the fabric, a cutter mounted upon a rotating drum, and means for moving the cutterradially outwardly to introduce itbetween a pair of it to cut the sheet of fibres. I

ing a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric traveling combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely of the fabric, a cutter consisting of two sets of relatively movable teeth which teeth are pointed to project through the sheet of fibres, and means for moving one set of teeth relative to the other set to cut the fibres.

. 22. machine for reenforcing fabric, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in verse to the direction of traveling combs a path transfeed of the fabric,

them transversely of the fabric, a cutter conhaving. relatively wide teeth for engaging the fibres and applying sisting of two sets of relatively movable teeth to be inserted between the fibres held by the which teeth are constructed to aline with the teeth of the combs and are adapted comb teeth, and means for moving one set of thecutter teeth relative to the other set i to cut the fibres.

23. A machine for reenforcing fabric,

comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres,

means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and applying them to the fabric transversely thereof, a drum rotated in timed relation with to cut the sheet of fibres into sections, and means including changeable driving mechaan endless carrier provided with combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely of the fabric, a druni adjacent the carrier and rotated at the same surface speed, independently operable cutters carried by the drum to cut the sheet of fibres into sections, and means. including changeable driving mechanism for operating different cutters .to cut the fibre sheet into sections of the desired length.

25. A machine for reenforcing fabric, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path transverse to the directionof feed of the fabric, an endless carrier with combs for engaging the 'fibresand applying them transversely the travel of the combs, a plurality of cutters mounted upon .the drum in spaced relation about its axis the fibre sheet into secbetween the combs, and means for operating the cutters in different order to cut the fibre sheet into sections of the desired length.

- 26. A machine for reenforcing fabric,

an endless carrier with combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely of the fabric, a drum rotatably mounted adjacent the carrier inposition to force the fibres into engagement with the comb teeth and having recesses in its face to clear said teeth, means for rotating the drum at the same surface speed as the carrier, a cutter upon the drum that is introduced between'a pair of combs, and means for actuating the cutter to sever the fibres between a pair of combs.

27. A machine for reenforcing fabric, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric, an endless carrier with combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely of the fabric, means for positivel holding the fibres between the teeth of t e combs, and a cutter for severing the sheet between a air of combs and while it is positively he d in each comb.

28. A machine for reenforcing fabric, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres in a path-transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric, an endless carrier with combs for engaging the fibres and applying them transversely of the fabric, means movable into and out of position to close the entrances between the teeth of the combs to hold the fibres between the teeth, and a cutter for severing the sheet between a pair of combs and while the entrances between the teeth are closed.

29. A machine for reenforcing fabric,

' comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabr1c to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric in the form of a thin sheet, an endless carrier having travel-. ing combs for enga ing the fibres of the sheet and carrying t em across the fabric, dofiers upon the combs for transferring the fibres to the fabric, an actuator supported at one side of the path of travel of the combs for operating simultaneously a number of the doflt'ers, and mechanism for momentarily advancing the actuator in the direction in which the combs travel while it operates the 30. A machine for reenforcing fabric, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely the dofi'ers to prevent other advancing doffers from striking the actuator.

31. A machine for reenforcing fabric comprising in combination, means forfeeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for advancing a sheet of fibres toward the fabric for application thereto, a carrier consisting of a pair of spaced endless racks formed of connected rack sections constructed to travel in an endless path,

combs extending from one rack to the other and connected to the rack sections and adapted to engage the fibres of the sheet and advance them toward the fabric, supporting rollers mounted upon the rack sections, a pair of endless runways one for the rollers of each rack and constructed to support the racks, and means for applying the fibres to the fabric.

32. A machine for reenforcing fabric comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding the fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, traveling combs for enga ing thefibres of the sheet and carrying t em, across the fabric for application thereto, dofling bars mounted and mechanism for actuating the dofiing bars and said holding means in timed relation.

33. A machine of the character described, comprising in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for feeding a sheet of fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them to a position across the fabric, dofling bars for transferring the sheet of fibres from the combs to the fabric, actuators for the dofiiing bars, means for rocking the actuators, and means for imparting the rocking movement of theactuators, to the dofling bars to operate them.

34. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric tobe reenforced by fibres, means for advancing a sheet of fibres toward the fabric, a traveling comb for enga ing the fibres of the sheet and carryiiig t em over-the fabric for application thereto, and means movable into and out of position to close the entrances between the teeth of the comb to hold the fibres between said teeth.

" tion of the fibre ing a fabric to be reenforced means for advancing a sheet ofv fibres toward the fabric,

a traveling comb for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carryingthem over the fabric for application thereto,

and fingersmovable across the'entrances between the teeth of the comb to hold the fibres between said teeth.

36. A machine of the character described,-

comprising, inv combination,'means for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by' fibres, means for advancing a sheet of. fibres toward the fabric, traveling combs for en-, gaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them over the fabric, dofling bars for transferring the sheet of fibres from the combs 'to the fabric, and bars extending lengthwise of the combs and movable in the direction of their length to actuate the dofling bars;

37. A machine of the character described,

com risin in combination means for feed ing a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for advancing a sheet of fibres toward the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them over the fabric for application thereto, a rotating drum for supporting the sheet of fibres at each side of the point where the teeth of a comb are engaged with the fibres, and the drum having recesses adapted to receive the portion of the combs that extends thru the fibre sheet.

comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabrlc to be reenforced by fibres, means for advancin a sheet of fibres toward the fabric, trave ing combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them over the fabric for application thereto, and a cut ter for cutting the sheet of fibres'into sections and constructed and arranged to cut the sheet between two combs so that a comb remains in engagement with the'main porsheet from which a section is cut. .39. A machine of the character described, comprising,-in combination, means for feedby fibres, means for advanein a sheet of; fibres toward the fabric, trave 'ng combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them over the fabric for application thereto, a rotating drum for supporting the sheet of fibres, and a cutter normally retained within the drum out of engagement with the fibre sheet and adapted to be projected beyond the periphery of the drum tocut the sheet of fibres.

40. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feed ing a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for advancing a sheet of fibres toward the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet plying the fibres 38. A machine of the character described,

and carrying them over the fabric for application thereto, a rotating drum provided with I independently operable cutters spaced about the axis of the drum, and means, including changeable driving mechanism for operating different cuttersto cut the fibre sheet into sections of the desired length.

41, A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means'for feeding a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for advancing a sheet offibres toward the fabric, a rotating drum provided with cooperating cutters com rising two sets of rela= tively movable teeth pointed at their ends and adapted to be projected thru the sheet of fibres-means for moving one set of teeth relatively to the other to sever the fibre sheet, and means .for applying the fibres to the fabric.

42. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, meansfor feed ing a fabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for advancing a sheet of fibres toward the fabric, a rotating drum provided with cooperating, cutters-comprising two sets of relativel movable .teeth'jpointed at their ends and adaptedto be projected thru the sheet of fibres, means for moving the-teeth radially outwardly from the axis of the drum to insert them thru said sheet, means for moving one set" of teeth relativelyto the other to sever'the sheet,and means for apto the fabric. 7 43. A machine ofthe character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding afabric to be reenforced by fibres, means for advancing a sheet offibres toward the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them over the fabric for application thereto, dofi'mg bars associated with'the combs, means for positively holding the fibres between the teeth of the combs, and mechanism for actuating said holding means to release the fibres Iaigd for actuating the dofling bars to eject the res.

44. A machine for reenforcing fabric, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reenforce by fibres, means for advancing a sheet of fibres toward the fabric, traveling combs for engaging the fibres of the sheet and carrying them over the fabric, dofi'crs upon the combs for transferring the fibres to the fabric, an actuator supported adjacent the path of traveliof the combs for operating simultaneously a number of the dofiers, and mechanism for momentarily advancing the actuator in the direction in which the combs travel while it operates the doifers.

In testimony whereof, I have name to this s ecification.

HARLES H. HOWARD. 

